Build-A-Bear Workshop will close its friends 2B made locations, a retail spin-off of the original concept that revolves around kids making and accessorizing their own dolls that launched in 2005.

Build-A-Bear Workshop will close its friends 2B made locations, a retail spin-off of the original concept that revolves around kids making and accessorizing their own dolls that launched in 2005.

The company expects close the nine locations currently in the US by the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

Of the nine friends 2B made outlets, all but one of these locations is inside or adjacent to a Build-A-Bear Workshop store. The company plans to use the space in several of these locations to expand the adjacent Build-A-Bear Workshop stores at a cost of approximately US$2 million.

The company’s capital spending in fiscal 2009 is currently targeted at approximately US$17 million.

About The Author

Gary Rusak is a freelance writer based in Toronto. He has covered the kids entertainment industry for the last decade with a special interest in licensing, retail and consumer products. You can reach him at garyrusak@gmail.com